The new Prime Video thriller The Assassin, starring Keeley Hawes and Freddie Highmore, was filmed primarily in Greece, with most scenes shot in Athens. The six-part series follows Julie, a former assassin living in isolation on a remote Greek island, whose life is disrupted when her estranged son Edward arrives seeking answers about his father.
Director Lisa Mulcahy revealed the challenges of filming in extreme heat, with temperatures often reaching nearly 40 degrees Celsius. 'Some days were brutal, but we made sure everyone drank loads of water, stayed out of the heat and kept out of direct sunlight,' she said.
Freddie Highmore, who plays Edward, described the variety of locations used, including land, sea, woods, yachts and mansions. 'This is my first time in Athens, and it was amazing to film there, but the most challenging thing has been the heat. Any sweat on screen that can be seen as we run around is most likely genuine!' he said.
Keeley Hawes, previously known for filming The Durrells in Corfu, expressed her delight at reuniting with many crew members she had worked with there. 'There's nothing better than walking onto a set on your first day, feeling nervous and apprehensive, to then be greeted by so many familiar friendly faces,' she said.
Greece also doubled for other countries featured in the series, including Spain, the south of France and Albania.
